The D.C. Defenders return home to Audi Field to partake in the first & only Monday night contest of the 2023 XFL season against the 4-1 Houston Roughnecks. The unbeaten Defenders are coming off a week five road win over their XFL North rival, St. Louis Battlehawks. The result sent the 35,868 in attendance home unhappy following the squad’s first-ever home loss. Speaking of first losses, the Roughnecks lost for the first time in history last Thursday against the Seattle Sea Dragons.
With both teams first in their respective divisions, this matchup could serve as a preview to the 2023 XFL Championship set to take place in May.
Roughnecks
Houston is coming off a tough loss where it uncharacteristically failed to get much going offensively, mustering only 255 yards & 14 points – all of which came in the fourth quarter. A last-minute drive from the Roughnecks’ offense abruptly ended when Brandon Silvers threw a pick into the hands of defensive lineman Niko Lalos. It’ll be interesting to see which version we get from the Roughnecks offense out of the gate on Monday.
Meanwhile, the Defenders stopped Seattle’s run-and-shoot scheme during their week one win, a system similar to what A.J. Smith & the Roughnecks’ offense utilizes. Last week, Brandon Silvers used ten different targets, including Max Borghi – who leads the XFL in receptions amongst running backs (15). While the Washington State standout uses his elite playmaking ability to break off yardage on catches, he will also play a key role in establishing the rushing attack against a stout Defenders front seven.
Last week, top receiver Jontre Kirklin went down with a season-ending chest injury. With that said, receivers like Deontay Burnett & Travell Harris, who each have 200+ yards on the season, could fill the production gap. Cedric Byrd & Ben Putnam are also threats the Defenders will need to account for out of the Roughnecks’ commonly used four-receiver sets.
The Roughnecks’ edge rush has been lethal with both Trent Harris & Tim Ward thus far. Harris leads the XFL in tackles for loss (8) & sacks (6), with Ward in third & second in tackles for loss (7) & sacks (5), respectively. However, it may be difficult for these guys to have an impact against the Defenders, who employ quick screens & short passes on the limited occasions that they pass. On the season, the Defenders have conceded just five sacks – the least in the XFL.
For Houston, it’ll be all about stopping the run & making Defenders quarterback Jordan Ta’amu uncomfortable. They’ll be at full strength with zero players on their week six injury report.
Defenders
The Defenders themselves have a scary edge rush combo in Davin Bellamy & Andre Mintze, who will have a tall task against a top-tier Houston pass protection. On the season, D.C. has done a great job getting pressure on opposing quarterbacks & this will be key against Brandon Silvers if they want to slow down their pass-heavy attack. The Defenders’ secondary, led by shutdown corner Michael Joseph & free safety Santos Ramirez will need to help in these efforts.
The Defenders’ offense has continued to rely on pounding the ground to drive down the field & has used multiple weapons in doing so – whether it be feature back Abram Smith, who leads the XFL in rushing yards with 432, or Jordan Ta’amu, the top XFL quarterback in terms of rushing. Additionally, D’Eriq King leads the XFL in rushing touchdowns with five and has continued to be a problem for opposing teams with his legs in relief of Ta’amu.
Unfortunately, the Defenders haven’t had the luck that the Roughnecks have had regarding player health, with nine guys on their week six practice report. Running back Ryquell Armstead, who missed the last game, has remained limited in D.C. practices throughout the week.
Final thoughts
The matchup features two teams opposite each other in terms of philosophies. Who will win: the old-school Defenders led by HBCU coach Reggie Barlow or the modern Roughnecks guided by 75-year-old Wade Phillips? The game will also be a battle between two-quarterback systems, with Jordan Ta’amu & D’Eriq King making up the D.C. rotation and Brandon Silvers & Cole McDonald making up Houston’s.
